Ironing table



1964 D. c. STEINWEDEL 3,151,579

IRONING TABLE Filed Jan. 16, 1961 INVEN TOR. DELMAR C. STEI NWEDEL ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,151,579 IROINING TABLE Delmar C. Steinwedel, Seymour, Ind, assignor to Seymour Tool & Engineering Co., a corporation of Indiana 7 Filed Jan. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 82,874 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-117) The present invention relates to a cross-leg and roller arrangement for ironing tables of the adjustable height type and adapted to be collapsed during storage.

Ironing tables of the type to which this invention pertains normally include a pair of crossed legs attached to the underside of the ironing table and pivotally connected together at their midpoints to provide a table which may be collapsed during storage, and which during use may be adjusted to various desired heights. Attached to the rear and front legs are a pair of cross-legs, each of the cross-legs being provided with frictional bumpers to prevent movement of the ironing boad across the floor. These bumper members are normally fabricated of some material which eliminates marking of the floor.

1n ironing tables of the above described type, height adjustment is accomplished by providing a guideway for attachment of the front leg to the underside of the table thereby permitting movement of the front leg along the table. During such adjustment as above described, the rear leg remains stationary with respect to its position on the floor and a roller assembly is provided on the front leg to facilitate movement of the front leg as the table is positioned at various heights.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a roller assembly for an ironing table adapted to be secured to the cross-leg by a friction fit, and allowing rotation of the roller member relative to the cross-le Another object of this invention is to provide a roller assembly for use with an ironing table wherein the roller member is friction fitted over the tubular cross-leg and provided with an internal bearing member or sleeve which retains the frictional bumper on the ends of the cross-legs while providing for rotation thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a roller for a cross-leg assembly wherein the cross-leg is of a given outside diameter and provided with spaced dimples or lanced portions thereon defining a bearing surface for securing the roller assembly thereto by engaging the inner cylinder bearing member of the roller assembly between the dimpled or ianced portions of the cross-leg maintaining the outer frictional material of the roller out of engagement with the cross-leg and thereby providing for rotation of the roller assembly relative to the cross-le.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a triangular or three-point mounting of the tubular leg to the cross-leg preventing the formed portions of the tubular leg from unrolling or bending as heavy pressure is applied to the table surface.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In the drawing- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ironing table constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the location of the various parts thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view from the left of FIG. 1 showing the tubular leg and cross-leg on an enlarged scale;

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FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in section of the roller assembly shown in PEG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form of the roller assembly shown in 3; and

PEG. 5 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is shown an ironing table having a metal, wood, or preferably perforated metal top ill mounted on rear and front legs 12 and 14, respectively. The front leg 14- which crosses the rear leg 12, and is pivotally attached thereto at 16, is secured to the underside of the table 16 by a suitable bracket assembly 13 providing for pivotal movement of the front leg with respect to the table. This bracket may be of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 82,815 filed of even date herewith and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

The rear leg 12 is attached to th underside and generally towards the front of the ironing table by a bracket assembly 20 for providing axial movement of the rear leg 12 in the guideway 22 as the height of the table is adjusted by a conveniently located lever 24.

Secured to the bottom end of the front leg 14 is a crossleg (not shown) having a frictional bumper such as 26 affixed to each end thereof. The bumper 26, of rubber or other suitable material, does not rotate on the cross-leg and has an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the tubular cross-leg thereby providing a friction lit between the bumper 25 and the cross leg. Affixed to the lower end of the rear leg 12 is a second cross-1e 28 (FIG. 2) to which a pair of rollers 39 are affixed.

in normal operation the bumper members 26 do not rotate as the ironing table is varied in height by manipulation of the height control handle 24. As the table is lowered, the u er end of rear leg 12 travels in the guideway 22 and the lower end of the rear leg moves along the floor due to rollers 36. Once the desired height has been reached movement of the ironing table is prevented by the bumper members 25.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rear leg 12 is affined to the cross-leg 23, the latter being provided with rollers 38 on each thereof, one of the rollers being shown in section to facilitate description thereof, and it being understood that each of the rollers 35 is of identical construction. Each roller 39 includes an outer cup-shaped member 34, of elastomeric material such as rubber or other suitable material, having an annular ridge 35 on the outer surface thereof capable of frictionally engaging a fioor surface. The cup-shaped member is provided with a recess 36 along the inner periphery 38 thereof as shown in FEGS. 2 and 3 for receiving a cylindrical bearing member or sleeve 4% and preventing contact between the base 41 of the roller and the outer edge 42 of the leg 23. T. e tubular cross-leg 28 is provided with a plurality of spaced lances 4-5 on each side thereof and the outer dimension of the lances being greater than the inner dimension of the cylindrical member but less than the inner dimension of the cupshaped member 3 to define a bearing surface on each end of the cross-leg. With such an arrangement the roller member 39 is secured to the cross-leg 23 since the cylindrical bearing member ll rides between the lances 45 in a the bearing surface and is free to rotate thereon while i the bearing member 55 andthe tubular leg 28a.

axial movement is prevented. The cup-shaped rubber member 34 is held in place on the end of the tubular crossleg 28 by frictional engagement with the bearing member and since the frictional cup-shaped member 34 does not contact either the raised portion of tne lances .5 of the tubular cross-leg or the end 42 thereof, there is no frictional engagement between the member 34 and the crossleg.

Insertion of the cup-shaped member 34 over the crossleg 28 is easily accomplished by positioning the open end of the cup-shaped member in alignment with the cross-leg and pressing to force it over the lances or dimples. Since the nylon member has a slightly larger outside diameter than the inner diameter of the recessed portion 36, cupshaped member 34 and the cylindrical bearing member 40 are mechanically interlocked and move as a unitary assembly. Moreover, removal of the bearing member from the cross-leg is prevented since the edge 48 of each of the lances engages the edge of the bearing thus effecting positive positioning of thebearing on the bearing surface.

A modified form of the roHer assembly which may be used if desired is shown in section in FIG. 4 wherein cupshaped member 59 of elastomeric material is provided with a recessed portion 53 which is approximately the same width as the cylindrical nylon bearing member 55 constructed much along the same lines as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The recess 53 serves to prevent axial movement of the cup-shaped member 59 with respect to The tubular cross-leg 28a is provided with a plurality of dimples 57 along the outer surface thereof, the outer di- 7 mension of the dimples being greater than the inner dimension of the bearing member 55 but less than the inner dimension of the cup-shapedmember St to define a bearing surface on each end of the cross-leg.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, is is possible to remove both the bearing member and the cup-shaped member as a unitary assembly since the outer diameter of the tubular cross-leg in the area of the dimples is just slightly larger than the inner diameter of the bearing mem her and the bearing may he slipped over the curved portion of the dimples. Removal of these two elements as a unitary assembly is also facilitated by the fact that an annular recess is provided in the cup-shaped member such that each edge of the bearing member is in engagement with the elastomeric material of member 50.

Insertion of the cup-shaped member 5% and the bearing member 55, which comprise a roller assembly, is accomplished by positioning the open end of the roller assembly over the end of the cross-leg and pressing to force the roller over the dimples. Since the nylon member has a slightly larger outside diameter than the inner diameter of the recessed portion 53, the cup-shaped member and the bearing member are mechanically interlocked and a move as a unitary assembly.

Attachment of either the front or rear leg to the crossleg is shown in FIG. 5, and this explanation will be made with reference to the rear'leg, it being understood that both legs are ailixed in similar fashion. The lower end of the tubular cross-leg 12 is deformed as at 69 to provide a relatively'thin'curved section 62 at the lower end thereof, having a thickness at least twice that of the thickness of the Wall section of the tubular leg, and which is of such contour as to match the outer contour of the cross-leg 28, or 28a if the dirnpled cross-leg is being employed. The tubular leg 12 is then secured to the cross-leg 28 by three nut and bolt fasteners designated 65 which are arranged to lie at the three points of a triangle thereby providing firm engagement between the cross-leg 28 and the tubular leg 12. With this three point mounting, advantage is taken of the stability of the cross-leg 28 with respect to the tubular leg 12 which eliminates any Wobble of the cross-leg with respect to the leg 12 and therefore reduces the tend- I ency to deform the leg 12 as unequal pressure is applied 7 to the surface of the table. V

Such application of unequal pressure to the cross-leg, especially leg 12, occurs at such times as the ironing table is collapsed for storage and the table is moved across the floor on rollers 39. The situation may arise where the full weight of the table is held on one of the rollers during insertion of the collapsed table into storage space. With the three point connection of this invention the thrust of such pressure is evenly distributed between the three nut and bolt fasteners'S tending to inhibit any collapse of the tubular member by evenly distributing the stress between the three points.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the novel roller assembly which is simple to manufacture and easy to install, is provided on a cross-leg which is attached to the tubular leg by a three point connection thereby providing a leg structure for an ironing table which is stable and of sulficient strength to withstand the heavy pressures exerted thereon either during use of the table or movement thereof to a collapsed position.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an ironing table of adjustable height and adapted to be collapsed during storage including a table member having a front and rear leg for supporting said table member, a cross-leg for at least one of said legs and a roller assembly for each end of the cross-leg adapted to provide for movement of said leg relative to the floor during height adjustment and accommodating rolling movement of the collapsed ironing table across the floor during storage thereof comprising a tubular cross-leg afiixed to one of said legs, each end of said cross-leg being provided withat least a first and second pair of spaced projections defining therebetween a cylindrical bearing surface, each said roller assembly including a resinous bearing sleeve positioned on each said bearing surface and adapted'to rotate relative to said cross-leg, said resinous bearing sleeves having an inner circular dimension corresponding to the outer cirtain said bumper member out of contact with said cross-leg as said roller assembly is rotated.

2. A leg assembly for supporting an ironing table of the adjustable height and collapsible type comprising a front and rear hollow tubular leg supporting said table, a tubular cross-leg attacherd to each of said tubular legs at the ends thereof, each said leg being provided with deformed portions at one end thereof defining a thin curved section having a thickness at least twice the wall thick-. ness of said tubular leg, said deformed portion having a contour generally coinciding with the outer contour of said cross-leg, at least three bolt assemblies extending through said cross-leg and said thin curved section of said tubular leg for securing the one to the other, each said bolt assembly being positioned at the apex of a triangle to define a three-point connection maintainingthe thrust along said leg and cross-leg assembly distributed there'- between, said tubular cross-leg attached to said rear tubular leg being provided with spaced dimples thereon proximate each end thereof defining a bearing surface of a diameter corresponding generally to the outer diameter of said tubular cross-leg, a bearing member mounted overv an elastomeric cup-shaped member positioned over said bearing member for rotation therewith.

3. An ironing table as set forth in claim 2 wherein each bumper includes at least one annular ridge on the outer surface thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,461,223 Nauts July 10, 1923 6 Replogle Oct. 10, 1939 Rewald Feb. 8, 1955 Cotchett Jan 1, 1957 Krokos et a1 July 22, 1958 Miller Apr. 7, 1959 Ashby Nov. 24, 1959 Boardrnan et a1 "Sept. 5, 1961 

1. IN AN IRONING TABLE OF ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT AND ADAPTED TO BE COLLAPSED DURING STORAGE INCLUDING A TABLE MEMBER HAVING A FRONT AND REAR LEG FOR SUPPORTING SAID TABLE MEMBER, A CROSS-LEG FOR AT LEAST ONE OF SAID LEGS AND A ROLLER ASSEMBLY FOR EACH END OF THE CROSS-LEG ADAPTED TO PROVIDE FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID LEG RELATIVE TO THE FLOOR DURING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT AND ACCOMMODATING ROLLING MOVEMENT OF THE COLLAPSED IRONING TABLE ACROSS THE FLOOR DURING STORAGE THEREOF COMPRISING A TUBULAR CROSS-LEG AFFIXED TO ONE OF SAID LEGS, EACH END OF SAID CROSS-LEG BEING PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST A FIRST AND SECOND PAIR OF SPACED PROJECTIONS DEFINING THEREBETWEEN A CYLINDRICAL BEARING SURFACE, EACH SAID ROLLER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A RESINOUS BEARING SLEEVE POSITIONED ON EACH SAID BEARING SURFACE AND ADAPTED TO ROTATE RELATIVE TO SAID CROSS-LEG, SAID RESINOUS BEARING SLEEVES HAVING AN INNER CIRCULAR DIMENSION CORRESPONDING TO THE OUTER CIRCULAR DIMENSION OF SAID CROSS-LEG AND HAVING A LENGTHWISE DIMENSION GENERALLY COINCIDING WITH THE SPACE WITH SAID PAIRS OF PROJECTIONS, AND AN ELASTOMERIC BUMPER MEMBER RECEIVED OVER EACH SAID BEARING MEMBER AND MECHANICALLY INTERLOCKED WITH SAID BEARING MEMBER AND MECHANICALLY INTERLOCKED WITH SAID BEARING MEMBER FOR ROTATION THEREWITH AND IN CONCENTRIC RELATION WITH THE END OF SAID CROSSLEG, EACH SAID BEARING SLEEVE HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE OUTER DIAMETER OF SAID CROSS-LEG TO MAINTAIN SAID BUMPER MEMBER OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID CROSS-LEG AS SAID ROLLER ASSEMBLY IS ROTATED. 